A Higher Resolution

It’s nearly mid-January, and how are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? The practice of marking the turning of the year can be traced back some 4000 years to the early agrarian societies and animal sacrifices in the hopes of some particular good fortune. Now, and after none other than Julius Caesar designated January 1st as the start of the new year, the only sacrifices are the self-imposed variety presumably for ones’ own improvement. Giving up indulgences such as too much wine or sweets, and making renewed commitments to health and wellness are frequent. In fact, weight loss and healthier eating are the most popular new year’s resolutions, accounting for upwards of 20% of all resolutions made across America. A promise to do more good deeds ranks well down the list, rating only 5%. And while better than 40% of Americans report making resolutions, a scant 9% will admit having kept them with any success, though younger Americans—those in their 20s—evidently do better, nearing a 40% success rate. Or perhaps they simply report more optimistically? Whatever your inclination towards or against New Year’s resolutions, 2018 will be improved by time spent in the welcoming atmosphere of Third Street South, where living well is a given.